A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cabo San Lucas vs. Palm Springs for Nightlife, Resorts, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cabo San Lucas and Palm Springs can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is a wild, adventurous, and scenic city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food.

Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a outdoorsy, ritzy, and chic city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and hiking.

Cabo San Lucas and Palm Springs: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cabo San Lucas. Although Cabo San Lucas and Palm Springs are both popular with visitors, Cabo San Lucas has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Cabo San Lucas is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Palm Springs is known for its resorts. Cabo San Lucas is popular for its beautiful coastline, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife scene. It is also home to Land's End. Palm Springs is popular for its golfing, shopping, and mid-century modern architecture.

How is Cabo San Lucas different from Palm Springs?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Palm Springs and Cabo San Lucas. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs?

Both Cabo San Lucas and Palm Springs have good landmarks and museums for visitors.

Cabo San Lucas is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several historical sights in the area such as the Church of Saint Luke and San Jose del Cabo.

Palm Springs offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Palm Springs Air Museum has an impressive collection of military planes. It's also worth visiting the Palm Springs Art Museum, which has a mix of fine art, natural history, and performing arts. You'll also find botanical gardens and even a zoo around town.

Is the Food Better in Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Cabo San Lucas and Palm Springs both to be superb destinations.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Cabo San Lucas makes for a great culinary experience. If you step away from the all-you-can-eat buffets in the resorts, and the tourist hot spots, you'll find some excellent local Mexican cuisine and nice fine dining restaurants. Fresh seafood and local produce make the dishes unique.

Palm Springs has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Fresh ingredients and typical California cuisine is common around town. Brunch is a popular option for visitors and you'll find countless brunch cafes in the area. You'll also find Mexican food, pizza, and plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs has a better nightlife scene.

People head to Cabo San Lucas just to party. It has a long reputation of being one of Mexico's best party destinations. There are wild, all-night dance parties, crazy and crowded clubs, and music that lasts well into the morning. The best nightlife can be found in the blocks around Plaza Bonita, near the marina boardwalk.

The nightlife in Palm Springs is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The area is filled with nightlife options that range from cocktail bars to nightclubs or breweries. You can party into the early morning at the dance clubs or enjoy a bottle of wine with friends at one of the lounges.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs Better for Resorts?

Palm Springs is a world-class destination for its resorts. Also, Cabo San Lucas is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

Palm Springs is a world class resort vacation destination. Resorts range from luxurious to more laid back. Most have impressive pools and many have their own spas, restaurants, and entertainment options.

There are plenty of resorts in Cabo San Lucas to choose from. Many of the resorts are along parts of the coastline where it's not safe to swim. If you really want to enjoy swimming at a beachfront property, make sure you do some research in advance. Medano Beach is a nice area to consider.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cabo San Lucas is notable for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Palm Springs is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Cabo San Lucas. There are many snorkeling and scuba diving excursions that go out on half day and full day trips. Some of the best snorkeling is found at Cabo Pulmo, which has the only living coral reef in the Sea of Cortez.

Palm Springs is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs Better for Beaches?

Cabo San Lucas is notable for its beaches. However, Palm Springs is not a beach destination.

Cabo San Lucas is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Because of the water conditions, it's not safe to swim at many of the beaches in the area. This is particularly true on the Pacific side of the city. Many people consider Medano Beach to be one of the best in the area, but also nice are Lover's Beach, the ironically named Divorce Beach, and Chileno Beach.

Palm Springs is not a beach destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs Better for its Old Town?

Cabo San Lucas is notable for its historic old town. However, Palm Springs does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Cabo San Lucas. San Jose del Cabo is an "old town" that's a bit outside of town. It's particularly nice to visit on Thursdays when there's a nice market.

Palm Springs does not have a historic old town.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs Better for Hiking?

Both Cabo San Lucas and Palm Springs are destinations which offer superb hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Cabo San Lucas. It's not hard to get out into nature and you'll find many great hiking trails that go through varied and beautiful landscapes.

Many visitors go to Palm Springs for the hiking trails. There are more than 100 trails in the Greater Palm Springs area that take you through scenic desert landscapes and unique ecosystems. Some of the most popular trails include Andreas Canyon Trail and Araby Trail.

Is the Shopping Better in Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Palm Springs and Cabo San Lucas.

Cabo San Lucas is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are many great shopping areas where you can pick up souvenirs or other interesting items to remember your trip. There are mall, markets, and boutique vendors that sell a variety of products.

Palm Springs is well-known for its shopping. Shopping ranges from outlets to boutique vendors. For the most local options head to Palm Canyon Drive and for an upscale shopping experience, visit the El Paseo shopping district.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs Better for Families?

Both Cabo San Lucas and Palm Springs are superb to visit with kids.

Cabo San Lucas is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the snorkeling, boat rides, and kid-friendly cuisine. There are many places where kids can get up close and personal with animals, such as Wild Canyon’s Kingdom or camel riding. You might even be able to see migrating whales during your visit. Surfing, fishing, and hiking are also popular in the area.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Palm Springs is very family-friendly. The year round sunny weather and diversity of outdoor activities make this a great family-friendly destination. There are desert hikes, zoos, and even a dinosaur museum. Kids can also pass their time playing at the pool or enjoying the waterslides.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs Better for Couples?

Cabo San Lucas is an amazing city to visit for romance. Also, Palm Springs is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Cabo San Lucas has plenty to offer. It has long been a favorite honeymoon destination and couples who enjoy a beach paradise with wildlife, diving, and outdoor adventures will appreciate Cabo San Lucas. There's also amazing Mexican food and world class resorts.

Palm Springs makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Whether you're on a honeymoon or simply looking to escape the city, there are many romantic options in the area. From cozy inns to resort spa hotels, there are a range of accommodation options. Outdoor dining, hiking, and shopping are also popular.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cabo San Lucas is notable for backpackers. However, Palm Springs is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Cabo San Lucas. It's a popular tourist destination, and there are a number of hostels and activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Palm Springs is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While the city is more famous for its upscale clientele, there's actually a hostel in town for backpackers.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cabo San Lucas is very good for its public transit. However, Palm Springs is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Cabo San Lucas has a few public transit options. Buses make up the main form of public transit. They are called Subercabos and run between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.

Public transit is mostly limited in Palm Springs. There are nine bus routes operated by SunLine Transit Agency, but most visitors prefer to have a car to get around.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs a more walkable city?

Cabo San Lucas is notable for its walkability. Also, Palm Springs is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Cabo San Lucas is very walkable. The town is relatively easy to walk around with many things close together.

Palm Springs is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are very walkable, particularly the touristy areas along Palm Canyon Drive.

For even more information, also check out Is Cabo San Lucas Worth Visiting? and Is Palm Springs Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Palm Springs or Cabo San Lucas?

How long in Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs?

It's fun to spend time in either Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Cabo San Lucas due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Cabo San Lucas, and 2-4 days is enough time in Palm Springs.

Families should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Palm Springs. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cabo San Lucas, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Palm Springs. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cabo San Lucas that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Palm Springs if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Cabo San Lucas.

One day in Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs?

In Cabo San Lucas, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this scenic city offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Palm Springs, you'll find museums and nightlife. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs?

Cabo San Lucas is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Palm Springs is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs?

In Cabo San Lucas, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this scenic destination offers. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Lots of people come for the nightlife. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Palm Springs. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs?

Cabo San Lucas is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Palm Springs. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Mexico, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cabo San Lucas and Palm Springs, we can see that Palm Springs is more expensive. And not only is Cabo San Lucas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cabo San Lucas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cabo San Lucas and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Palm Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Palm Springs than you might in Cabo San Lucas.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cabo San Lucas Expensive? and Is Palm Springs Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs?

Palm Springs has a larger population, and is about 0% larger than the population of Cabo San Lucas. When comparing the sizes of Cabo San Lucas and Palm Springs, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.